BY MICHAEL O'LOUGHLIN JUNE 12 2014 1:05 PM ET

The man appointed by U.S. Catholic bishops to fight the church's battle against marriage equality called Wednesday for an amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would define marriage as a union between one man and one woman.

Speaking in New Orleans at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' summer meeting, San Francisco's Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone rejected calls from some priests to move on from the issue and instead seemed to double down.

In his report to his fellow bishops, Cordileone, head of the bishops' Subcommittee for the Promotion and Defense of Marriage, said the nation finds itself at a "critical point," according to the National Catholic Reporter.

More: http://www.advocate.com/politics/religion/2014/06/12/catholic-archbishop-change-constitution-ban-same-sex-marriage

It was tried with alcohol nearly 100 years ago!!  That one even got passed.  He's behind the times. 

Just trying to outdo the recent Southern Baptist Convention resolution. If he studied the process for amending the Constitution he would see there is no way to do it as it clearly would mean Government changes to suit a particular religious group or ideology. Just wants his 15 minutes of fame. 

You know, I think you are very right Jessica, someone needs to let the Pope know the guy is a closet SBC minister!! 

I think you'll find that over the next decade, the church will slowly abandon that position.
It won't be noticeable, a little step at a time, but eventually I believe if nothing else, their opposition will become a lot less vocal.
More specifically on trans* issues, judging by recent advances in the UK, I'd say that we might even gain support from these guys

Maybe I'm just being optimistic because I'm catholic

They don't' have the political power anymore, Bush Jr tried to push it while in office and even with all 3 federal branches up mostly conservative control back then he couldn't do it. Over half of Americans support and a amendment would be irony for those "states rights" conservatives.

That's about as likely to happen here as Sharia law.  Nothing to see here.

They should ban all Catholics!

Why is it that  once a minority gains power that they always do in the group that had the power in the 1st place. Take the early Christians who said they only wanted rights to practice their religion, however after they got rights, they then destroyed all pagan religions. For example: the Greek Oracles at Delphi by the Roman
emperors  when Christianity became the official religion of Rome.

By the way 400 years after Rome became Christian, they were still having gladiator fights in the Coleseum.(spelling)

Ah well, as far as I can see the Catholic Church is becoming more and more of a joke as time goes on. No one really seems to take them seriously except Catholics themselves.

To me, a religion has the right for those that believe in that religion can say you must adhere by our laws. HOWEVER, No religion has the right to cram down the throats their stuff, if they do not believe in that religion.

Quote from: birkin on June 17, 2014, 03:55:42 PM
Ah well, as far as I can see the Catholic Church is becoming more and more of a joke as time goes on. No one really seems to take them seriously except Catholics themselves.

I have quite a few friends who are Catholics who don't take their own religion seriously.   Most of my Catholic friends are "lapsed" by now.

Quote from: janetcgtv on June 17, 2014, 03:59:38 PM
To me, a religion has the right for those that believe in that religion can say you must adhere by our laws. HOWEVER, No religion has the right to cram down the throats their stuff, if they do not believe in that religion.

It's amazing how many people in history have been converted at swordpoint.   I spent years in college studying religion and culture and learned about all the atrocities that have been committed in the name of righteousness. 

There are many types of Catholics, a lot of them liberal and a lot of them conservative (not exactly in political terms). Pope Benedict was more of the pope for the conservative side of catholics, happy to continue the old ways. While not pro-equality (though better than all popes) Pope Francis is more on the liberal side, breaking change the church hasn't seen in centuries.

Jill F:
Even in ancient Rome, to be considered a loyal Roman you had to believe in the Roman Gods. However,
You could also pray to your Gods.

Quote from: janetcgtv on June 17, 2014, 03:52:51 PM
They should ban all Catholics!

Why is it that  once a minority gains power that they always do in the group that had the power in the 1st place. Take the early Christians who said they only wanted rights to practice their religion, however after they got rights, they then destroyed all pagan religions. For example: the Greek Oracles at Delphi by the Roman
emperors  when Christianity became the official religion of Rome.

By the way 400 years after Rome became Christian, they were still having gladiator fights in the Coleseum.(spelling)

Why? this is the same mentality they have of us? is this fair? no this is no more fair then the churches they say they should ban all gays, or all trans? but you do have a point though, the idea of banning all Catholics would be a retarded to them as banning all trans is to us isn't it funny, how even when we disagree with one and other, its because we do the same :p

Its funny though how, when we as people agree our way is not their way, and their way is not ours, that both sides say our way should be yours? and do the exact same things. Because even when we disagree, our way is still the same. the human way

Did Archbishop Cardileone discuss anything about pedophile priests? This has done a lot of damage to many lives.

Quote from: gennee on June 25, 2014, 10:38:17 AM
Did Archbishop Cardileone discuss anything about pedophile priests? This has done a lot of damage to many lives.

This is long since dealt with, and about as relevant to Catholicism as NAMBLA is to gay rights.
It's long past time folks stopped bringing it up.

Quote from: ZoeM on June 25, 2014, 10:47:48 AM
It's long past time folks stopped bringing it up.

History is always relevant, and should never be swept under the rug. It is very important for history, especially the bad stuff, to never be forgot.

Only with access to a unbiased perspective of events can we successfully learn from mistakes and move forward.

In the case of religions that have done horrific things, the only way such a religion can undo the damage caused to society and itself is to accept that it happened and endlessly seek to undo and repair. Much like what Japanese Zen is doing now to undo damage caused by its militarization between 1800's - 1945.

no offense to anyone and i'm sry if this will come out strong, but religion i full of crap. the bibles have been changed so many time just to get that "important" person off the hook for either murder or wanting to leave his or her relationship. there is no where in the bible that mention being gay as a sin. if religious people were truly righteous, they would take god's teachings and love they neighbor, and not to discriminate. sure you cant get rid of mental prejudice but people have a right to love whoever they want to. its called free will and a heart. idc really care what they think because at the end of the day, this type of thinking is evil and isnt godly. the LGBTIQ, yes i included them all, have fought for their rights as people. the very idea of taking away gay marriage is a sin itself and tells that we dont deserve rights as people when we do. its just sickening that the catholics its seems are always trying to fight for themselves and not care about what it would do to the people. as far as i can tell, they can pack up and go back to italy and leave the U.S citizens alone 

  Just a quick reminder if this turns into a religious debate this topic will be locked. Stick to the relevant topic.